Blind Impulse by Kathryn Loch Page B

muscles are weary it becomes that much more difficult to maintain correct de fense. The shield dips slightly, the sword arm slows. Unfortunately, that will get an experienced knight killed just as quickly as if he were an untrained squire. We train for this Alyna, but the only way is to drive ourselves beyond the breaking point. Wh en the body can take no more, we work even harder to maintain the proper defense.”
    Alyna scowled. “That makes sense...somewhat.”
    “ But there is more on the mental and emotional level. Garin followed his training, Alyna. He had to drive himself to exhaustion to strip away everything.  Only once the defenses are gone, when the body moves beyond pain, can he become something other than what he was born to.  He moves beyond the limits of flesh and the ideals which tell him to stop because it hurts too much.  Onl y after that is achieved can his mind be molded to accept what it would normally reject as impossible to obtain.  Garin knows this.  He knows the journey facing him will be unlike anything he has ever encountered.  By working as he did today he took the fi rst step of his journey.”
    Alyna shook her head.  It still did not make sense.  “But why torture himself so?”
    “ There is no other way to do it.”  He sighed and thought for a moment.  “I know it is difficult for you to understand because you are a woman.  But I have been told that there are times when women go through the same thing.  Giving birth to a child is one of them.  Moving beyond the pain and continuing when she thinks she cannot stand it another moment prepares a woman for becoming a mother.”
    Alyna t hought that was absolutely ridiculous.  “Who told you that?” 
    He grinned.  “My mother,” he said and winked at her, then turned and walked away.
    Alyna shook her head and returned to Garin.  Her father confused her but it was too late to do anything about i t now.  With Garin exhausted, her ideas for teaching would have to wait until tomorrow.  She only hoped her father was right and Garin would not suffer because of what he had done today.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
    Garin awoke again with A lyna in his arms, nearly the same position she had been yesterday morning.  Her soft body was pliant against his.  She stirred and he pulled her closer, unwilling to give up the wondrous sensation.
    Alyna propped herself up on her elbow, her thick hair casc ading over him like finely spun silk.  “How are you feeling this morn?”
    “ Stiff and sore but otherwise fine.”  He smiled.  “I shall have to do that more often.”
    “ Oh no you don’t.”
    He laughed and pulled her on top of him.  Alyna’s breath caught faintly in he r throat.
    “ I don’t mean driving myself like that,” he said and touched her face.  “I mean working with the practice dummy.  It made me realize there are things I can still do without my sight.”  He pulled her to him and kissed her soundly.
    At first she sti ffened in surprise but then relaxed and returned his kiss.  Garin’s heart soared.  Perhaps there was not only a chance of him learning to cope with his blindness but for the two of them as well.
    She pulled away with a throaty chuckle.  “Well, if the fiasco yesterday made you realize that, perhaps it was worth it.” 
    His smile grew.  “But you, my sweet, spoke of other ideas.  That was the reason you had me move the table, right?”
    “ Aye,” she said and tugged his hand to her mouth.  He felt her lips smiling, so ft and velvety against his palm.  “It can start with breakfast but you won’t have to worry about the servants jokes.  I will see to your meal this morning.”
    His finger slid across her bottom lip, enjoying the feel of it.  “That sounds like a wonderful idea .”
    Alyna kissed the palm of his hand and scrambled out of bed.
    Garin sat up and groaned as his stiff muscles protested.  He pulled his arms above his head and stretched, joints